Individual toe expander for shoe uppers



- March 22, 1927( E. O. YOUNG INDIVIDUAL TOE EXFANDER FOR SHOE UPPERS Filed Feb. 18, 1926.

r the only portion oft-he ipper described,

diate toe members and C the Patented Mar. 22, 1927.

EDWARD O. YOUNG, OF CLEVELAND HETGHTS, OHIO.

i INDIVIDUAL TOE nxrnnnnnv ron. snoa urrnns.

Application filed February The invention relates to improvements in shoe stretching devices and has for its particular object means for stretching the upper of the shoe at definite points to relieve the pressure upon corns orbunions upon the toes, without distorting the entire fore part of the shoe. viduah toe members, connected witha common. support and separate means inv each toe member f'orexpa-nding the same, so that affected thereby will be that portion closely adjacent to the toe upon whichthe cornor bunion is to befoii-nd.

Also the several toe members are specially shaped to correspond. with, their position in the shoe and are detachable and interchangeable and may be specially constructed to effect expansion of the upper the desired points in the shoe only. The side members such as the big and little toe members may be revolvable on their longitudinal axes, to enable them to expand either in a vertical or lateral direction or at angle therebetween to accommodate themselves to the position of the corn or bunion on the foot, and the intermediate toe members may only be expansible in a vertical direction at the will of the operator.

The invention comprises longitudinally divided toe members, means for laterally and selectively expanding said a common support therefor in which all the toe members are revolvable.

The invention is hereinafter more fully illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specifically pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1s a plan of the device showing in dotted lines its position in the shoe.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation thereof, Fig. 8 is a transverse section of the toe members, Fig. 4: is a longitudinal section of the big toe member, and Fig. 5 is a transverse section thereof. p

In these views A represents the big toe member; B, B, B, represent the intermelittle toe member. All these members are longitudinally divided for vertical or lateral expansion.

D is a metal band encircling the toe members at their larger ends and embedded in grooves E, E, therein, members in closely assembled relation therein, and also permitting them to revolve upon The invention includes inditoe members, and

thus retaining the toe 18, 1926. Seria1No..89,Q93-..

their longitudinal axes to accommodate, the

direction of expansion to the position of the corns or bunions upon the toes... The sides of the enclosing band-may be held. together with adjustable tensionby means ofbolts or screws F, F, if desir d. members each 7 To expand the toe pair of longitudinally directed sections thereof is provided with the tapered,

internal screw thread G, G, adjacent to the outer ends thereof, and a screw H is, en-

gaged with the threads of the tapered ,por

tions and by turning the screw the sections will be separated as'far as maybe desired,

the amount of expansion being only limited by the diameter of the screws i \Nhen the. corner bunion is on one of the outer toes, the toe membermay be revolved on its axis to permit lateral expansion as shown in Fig. 3, or the toe members may be vertically expanded as shown in the Figure 3. An additional amount of expansion can be produced to accommodate local swelling, byenlarging the toe member at that point asat I, Fig. 5, or specially a shaped toe member may be substituted in place of the one originally furnished.

In this manner all toe members can be detachably secured together and others sub-- may be turned so as to expand the entire upper if desired, or one toe member can be expanded to make the desired impression upon the upper to protect a corn or bunion atany one location on the foot.

Having described the invention what I desire to secure by Letters Patent is z" 1. In a device of the character described, a multiple number of longitudinally divided toemembers closely assembled for insertion between the upper and sole of a shoe in parallel relation to each other, a common transverse support for the rear extremities of said toe members in which said toe members are revolvable upon their longitudinal axes and in which the divisions of each toe 2. In a device of the character described,

thesicle of a multiple number of longitudinally divided toe members, and individual means for expanding the same, and a common support for said toe members in which said toe mem bers are separately revolvable.

3. In a device of the character described, a multiple number of longitudinally divided toe members, panding the same, and a common support for said toe members, the sections of said toe members being pivotally secured adja cent in their larger ends to said common support and individually revolvable therein.

4- In a device of the character described, a multiple number of longitudinally divided toe members, and individual means for expandin the same, and a common support for sai toe members, the sections of said toe members being pivotally attached adjacent to their larger ends to said common support, and revolvable thereon on their longitudinal axes.

5. The combination with a multiple number of longitudinally divided toe members, of a common supporting means therefor,

and individual means for ex each toe member being provided with an annular groove at its larger end in which said common support engages, said toe mem bers being revolvable in said support on their longitudinal axes, the sections of each toe member being provided with a common tapered internal screw thread, and a central screw engageable therewith for expanding the same.

6. The combination with a multiple number of longitudinally divided toe members, of a common supporting means therefor, each toe member being provided with an annular groove at its larger end in which said common support engages, said toe members being revolvable in said support on their longitudinal axes, the sections of each toe member being provided with a common tapered internal screw thread, and a central screw engageable therewith for expanding the same, and means for adjusting the tension of said support upon said toe members.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

EDWARD O. YOUNG. 

